The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-07-08
A HINT TO GAMERS.
WINTER FEED FOR STOCK.
Cheap Way OF UtiIixing Corn IIusks,
C0bs, dc.

| ~SD@s s&Es
For TIE Agis and InteR,gencer.
with ensilage proper as described in agri
cultural journals, have had no experience
have simply utilized the refuse, consisting
OF corn husks and cobs, from canning honsl
that would otherwise to great extern
have gone to waste.
My attention was first called to this refus,
as feed in 1881, By what might be termed
an accident. That year packed corn ant
tomatoes and all the refuse from the canning
house, consisting of corn husks, cobs anC
tomato peelings, was dumped into common
heap, to which all the stock ON the place haC
free access. They ate what they wanted ant
the remainder was tramped under foot. In
the fall from fifty to one hundred loads O
manure were spread over the pile, for tb,
purpose of making a compost heap of it b,
stirring.
In January, 1882, began to fork the pile
over, In order to mix manure and plaster
through the heap TO make II decompose.
After throwing off about two feet the re-
mainder was found to be perfect ensilage
and the greater portion was fed TO the stock
One would have supposed that the teaching
Of the manure would have injured 1t as feed
but the fact was that 1t had been tramped SC
solid, that no water could penetrate the heap
From this experience l was encouraged tC
think could improve on it. Accordingly
! scooped out trench in hill side with The
intention of walling it up, but soon found
that hauling stone for q trench 40 feet
long, 10 feet high and 10 feet wide was
too expensive for me to at tempt. The
trench was therefore filled without walling
We were about three weeks in filling il,
and 1t was tramped well each day by
mule, and also by the team that hauled
1t, passing and repassng over ii each day
When finished 1t was weighted with timbers
and stone, and rs soon as fodder was dry q
rick was built over 1t to protect it from the
| weather. 1t would have been better if it had
been covered Immediately after filling; but
still, with the exception OF a small portion on
top and on the edges, the food was relished
by all kinds of stock.
The next season the pit was filled in by
setting timbers ON ends, a cap piece on top
TO keep them In place, and to prevent earth
from pressing the sides in. Ties or braces
were thrown across. This was mistake, as
the braces interfcred with the packing, as we
could not use horse, and in consequence
could not get il properly trsmpled. This
year l shall take the braces out, and In addi-
ton to flling shall make a heap on the sur
fnce. BY frequent tramping during the sea-
son, and plenty of weight afterwards, I feel
confident that ! can save large amount of
feed. at little expense which otherwise would
60 to waste.
My conclusion is that for Gamer, would
not advise any great expense. Simply pile
the material on the surface, closely pack il
(which is the only secret by frequent tramp
ing to keep 1t solid. Even ifthe Gamer loses
portion, 1t will surprise him how simple
matter it is to provide green food for winter.
Ordinary farmers can gather more and bet
ter information from the different agricultu-
raj journals, and there are pamphlets pub
lished giving instructions how to build your
pits and how to save and handle snsilage.
AS stated before there is no secret about
saving II except TO tramp well. Give plenty
Of weight and protect from the weather and
guarantee success, whether under ground,
or on the surface or In a crib.
am almost persuaded that fodder could be
kept by burying 1t in piles as we do potatoes
and shall give 1t trial this fall shall place
green fodder in pile, cover with straw and
then with earth, which will give the pressure,
and trust that II will be success.
may add that there is more difficulty in
saving the cobs than the husks of sugar corn.
The cobs could be better preserved in regu-
lar silo, but if spread among the husks and
the whole well tramped they will keep.
"A. MCGAw.
Hartford Furnace, Nd.